These feet are made for Shopping!

I hit the shops early...I was at westfields having brekky to fuel up for the shopping expedition at ten to eight! I shopped til my feet went numb and I could walk no further. This was the result...

 I have everything from books to pj's to pool toys to aftershave. There are bags inside the bags you can see there. I am about to sort through it all and take stock of exactly what I have.

In other news, we finally got around to hanging some of our pics this afternoon. 

This is our big poster. I will put up some other pics on this large wall, but will live with this one a while and see what will go best with it.

We bought this cute little painting on our trip to the Hunter Valley earlier in the year.

Those photographs I had taken of the kids.

I plan on a long narrow bookshelf under those pictures. Will probably make do with a trip to ikea to get the shelves - would love to eventually do a proper built in shelf.  

 This photo I love of Maya has gone on the blue wall in her room - looks nice against the blue.

This print from WOOP studio in the UK is seen upon entry to the house. That whole front entry area is still an entire project for me to work on. I look forward to dreaming of options here for when the kitty is full again.

Just a little something for the laundry.

My UK underground print looks a little small, but will look better when the rest of the study is done.

I am awaiting the safe arrival of my first frangipani of the season - due to bloom any day now...

 And many more on the way too...

First day of the holidays and the kids are into a game of monopoly

and a game of backyard soccer before a good old barbie for dinner.

 and of course a swim in the pool - here is a link to my crazy daughter doing her thing.

Kidz in the Pool - mini video

T'is the season...to share a coke with Rudolph - my kids thought this one is the best they've seen!

 I have another big day tomorrow; two 40th birthdays to attend in the one day. I am soooo looking forward to having more time when I am officially on holidays - bring on Wednesday!!!

I will update again soon, next time I plan on getting back to filling you in on decorating and fun stuff like that!

Cheers
Kylie

Awards of All Kinds

I am thrilled and honoured to have been nominated for the Liebster Award by three new blog friends; Kerrie-Lee from Eternalicons , M from Two Beaches and a Lake and B from B is Building a House.

Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest" and the award is given to blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

The award acceptance has a few stipulations:

1.  Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it you.
2.  Reveal the five blogs you have chosen and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3.  Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4.  Request that people you have sent the award to forward it on to their favourite bloggers.

Here are the five blogs that I have chosen to nominate (which I found difficult to do as I am addicted to many, although some have a few too many followers for me to nominate):

 

1. Coastal Style Melissah's blog shares a variety of interests. I love a lot of the beautiful homes and decor she highlights in her posts. One day I would love my blog to look professional like hers.

 

2. Two Beaches and a Lakehouse I enjoy catching up on M's frequent posts about her upcoming build and decorating dreams. I look forward to continuing to follow her journey.

 

3. Eternal Icons Kerrie-Lee's blog is another fave. She talks about lots of interesting goings on in her life and her honesty and ability to share ups and downs helps you feel a connection to her. Plus we have quite similar taste I think.

 

4. B is Building a House B is an extremely active blogger who constantly invites people's opinion on decisions she is making on her new build. She has lovely taste and I have enjoyed watching her journey.

 

5. Georgica Pond In this blog I dream about my build in 'another life'. I will probably never build/renovate in this style, but I do love it and have enjoyed seeing this talented lady piece together the aspects of her new home.

 

So, duties are carried out. Thank you to all of my followers. I do follow lots of smaller blogs, written solely about their build process, as well as much larger ones that also inspire me daily. One day I would love to transform this blog to be something a bit more special, but I am loving meeting new blog friends and sharing 'The Journey'.

 

As an aside, I need to brag a little about another AWARD. My children had their annual presentation evening for school yesterday and my son, Connor, received an award. These days it is frowned upon, in some forums, to brag about/celebrate your children's achievements, but the blogging community is so kind, I feel I can maybe get away with it...yes?

Here is my proud boy

Maya received a certificate for finishing kindy

Just a little pleased with themselves

 

I think children who work hard should feel very proud of themselves. They don't always need a 'special' award to acknowledge their achievements, but sometimes it is nice. Connor received his for improved confidence and initiative. He is quite a smart kid but is very sensitive and his teachers have worked very hard to bring out his best. Proud of him:)

Every morning, on my drive to work, I have lots of odd thoughts that pop into my head. I think they'd be great to chat about on here (hopefully not too trivial and boring). Of course, when I come to sit down at night, I forget everything I thought about! Hopefully when I start my holidays next week, and life slows down, I will remember my thoughts for longer than 2 seconds and share with you.

Chat again soon friends,

Cheers

Kylie

Konnichi Wa

Where is the pause button? I need a rest from this break neck speed I am hurtling along at. It has been a fun one though! 

Firstly though, I must thank KL from http://eternalicons.blogspot.com/ and M at  http://maddanmkvi.blogspot.com/ who nominated my modest little blog for a Liebster Award. I do have a little protocol to follow, but I am going to request permission to postpone my responsibilities for a night. I will have to think carefully about my fave blogs - I love them all (the above two especially) So if it is OK, I will just do a little post tonight about my weekend and then carry out my 'duties' tomorrow.

Firstly, our friends 40th was a fab night. The black clouds retreated and it was a beautiful evening by the bay. Here are a couple of pics to show you the general feel of fun! (and the gorgeous location)

Konnichi wa - that's me a Geisha Girl and DH is a humble garbo

Beautiful spot hey!

Some of the troops enjoying the occasion.That's the birthday boy in front - the Gladiator!

Special friends - what it all about really, isn't it!

We partied into the night  - feeling a tad under the weather this morning.

Keeping with the entertaining theme, we had 3 families for lunch today (lunch that went til 6pm!). Great time had by all again. Good food and company - what else could you want. Seriously...time spent with friends is what the Aussie summer is all about. And even if summer is doing it's best to hide, we are pressing ahead with making the most of our new home, which was built with exactly this lifestyle in mind.

The house is really coming through for us. The layout and spaciousness are simply perfect for days like today. I heart my house! 8 adults and 9 kids and it was great! Big thanks to DH who cooked a delicious lunch (I was the kitchen hand and chief decorator)

I think my poor kitchen bench was a little overwhelmed - it's never been so messy! At least it was a happy mess (don't ask me what that means)

The sun was out all morning - then 10 mins before they arrived it poured with rain! Luckily the rain stopped, although the sun refused to show it's face again, not that the kids cared!

  

DH in chef mode. The kitchen is great for this entertaining caper.

The calm (and clean up) after the storm.

I am just so thrilled that our home is catering for our needs so well. Sorry if I am gushing too much but, I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I am going to move my framed pics around a bit, imagining them in different spots before I commit to any holes in the walls. Hopefully next weekend I will pop them up then I'll post some pics.

My mission next weekend is to do some (most, if not all, of my Christmas shopping). I am usually so much more organised! I will check in with you about some of my purchases. I think tomorrow night I will pop on to the Peter's of Kensington website and consider my options there too (thanks KL for that bit of inspiration)

I am 7 workdays away from holidays. It is still flat out there for me - not much time to wind down. I am looking forward to posting on this blog a little more regularly during the hols - maybe even a mini post everyday. I love the variety of posts on this blog - I'm sure you are all familiar with it: http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/ if not, make sure you check it out.

One last thing, I popped out quickly tonight and snapped a dodgy pic with my phone of this lovely chrissy light house...don't you love Christmas!

Can't wait to take the kids on a couple of chrissy light tours - always really gets you into the spirit of the season.

 Anyway I will be back tomorrow night to do my 'Liebster Award' thing. Stay tuned folks.

Cheers
Kylie

Friday Evening

It's official; Friday afternoon, at precisely wine O'clock, is my favourite time of the week. (except when my 2 children have their inevitable 'I'm tired at the end of the week' fight)! Sitting outside, trying to enjoy the peace and quiet between the neighbour mowing his lawns and my pool filter clicking on, it is a nice prospect having a whole weekend ahead of me.

Wine and pistachios this arvo:)

We have a busy one ahead. I am planning on...going to my boxing class at 7am (I've been M.I.A the last couple of weeks), picking up some - but not all - of my things from the framers, taking Maya to her swimming lesson, having some river stones delivered for the gardens - and then hauling them into place, going to a long overdue trip the the hairdresser, taking Maya to a birthday party (after shopping for the present), taking kids to their grandparents for a sleepover, dressing up as a 'Geisha Girl' for our friends 40th 'G' for Grant party, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, preparing lunch and tidying the house, entertaining 3 families for the rest of the day...sound exhausting? I agree! Should be fun though (hopefully)!

It's been a big week at work too. We had the year 6 farewell last night. I danced with the kids to the latest doof doof music like i was one of them...and had a ball! Today we had our annual presentation ceremony. So proud of all the kids. I get emotional when kids I've taught get voted prefects, captains, friendship & citizenship and dux of the school (2 years running now!) Just like to think I had a tiny part in getting them there. Amazingly talented kids.

Maya had her end of year kindergarten concert - a cute nativity play and Christmas carols. She was proud to be a 'reader' in the play (and a duck) and had the cutest bottom wiggle - stealing the show - for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!!

And check out this mini video on the link below: (that's her in the front row with jeans on if you can pick her out!)

http://youtu.be/TveyeQEWLkc

One of mine and my kids favourite things to do this time of year is make our 'Nigella Lawson' Christmas biccies. They are delish! We decided that we will try our best to fit in making a batch for our visitors on Sunday. I set the kids about finding our chrissy cookie cutters... success, they were found! (I wasn't confident after the move!)

So, what have you all got planned for the weekend ahead? it's such a hectic time of year! The next couple of weekends are just as scary for us! Chill out time afterwards:)

Fingers crossed for decent weather! Tired of the below par start to summer (I'm sure those of you still building are too!)

Cheers
Kylie

The Week That Was...Big!

Well, this past week has been choc-a-block! I'm exhausted just trying to remember all that has gone on. I am going to attempt to fill you in on my life this past week.

The two men in my life had birthdays this week - DH turned the big 4 0 and Connor is now a cheeky 8 year old. A very late night last night saw us celebrate (very low key) here at home with a couple whose company we often enjoy. We really missed our get-togethers when we weren't living here. Connor enjoyed Laser zone...as all eight year old boys do! 

On top of birthdays, maya had her end of year dance concert...again it was all very cute. She is quite the poser!

I am in love with my canvas photographs that I picked up from the photographer - the talented Daniel Mann from Southern Exposure Photography, Cronulla - yesterday. I was anxious for them to be lovely as I paid much more than I had anticipated for them...but I now have these special pics of my children and they are beautiful - what do you think?

I have a couple of other photo prints too. Looking forward to putting them up on my still bare walls. I want to play with everything once I pick up my things that are at the framer.

Last week I ordered a personalised map from http://mysweetprintsblog.blogspot.com/ Seeing as it came laminated I have just stuck it on the wall for now, and will frame it on my next round of visits to the framer. Very happy with it, thanks Janette!

I little while ago I ordered this stool/side table from Domayne. At the moment it's purpose is to hold the phone, but I may do a reshuffle when I get my shelving that I want for this wall...eventually sometime next century when I can afford it! It's quite a versatile piece though so there I number of places I could pop it.  

On the home front, DH painted the wall, which looks great in the dark grey, and I planted the front planter box and my baby bamboo. I am actually really excited to watch how quickly it grows - they say it gets to 5m in 2 years!

The bamboo is a non invasive slender weaver. Should look tops when it grows!

And if that all wasn't enough, today we put up the Christmas tree. This year we are doing a silver/blues colour theme. The lights are a bit colourful but the kids like them.

 Each year I do a new photo ornament of each child. These 2 are from a couple of years ago...I still put them up each year to show how much they've grown.

So, I think that's about it in my weekly wrap up. Lots going on, but hey, who needs to sit around doing nothing right!
 Also, just as a side question, is it wrong that my blog is no longer solely about my house? Can I let it continue to just evolve into wherever it is headed? I hope so, cause I still enjoy updating my blog and keeping in touch with lots of lovely people in blogland and I don't want to start a new blog, just continue this one.

Hope everyone has had a great week. 

Cheers

Kylie